Volkswagen plans 'big plans' and hiring spree in China

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said the company is planning "big moves" in China.

The world's second-largest automaker is bolstering operations in its biggest market to keep pace with fast-growing Chinese automakers and ever-changing customer preferences.

“We will make major investments in China,” Diess said in an interview posted Tuesday on LinkedIn. "In a few years, we will have several thousand computer scientists in China."

During the interview with Chang Qing, CEO of CARIAD China, Volkswagen's in-house automotive software arm, Diess highlighted the need for Volkswagen to follow the Chinese market and invest in its local operations.

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Growing its presence in China will help Volkswagen respond quickly to changes in the local market, especially in two crucial areas: autonomous driving technology and in-car user experience, "which in China is really different and sophisticated" , said Diess. .

He cited consumer demand for audio systems designed for karaoke, "an indoor camera for taking pictures" and streaming capabilities.

“We already came to the conclusion a few years ago that developing this in Europe for China is not going to work,” Diess said. "We have to do it there."